Cathode for electrolytic cells.



F. 6. WHEELER. CATHODE FORv-ELECTROLYTIC CELLS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1915. I

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mam e. WHEELER, or APPLET'ON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO KIMBERLY-CLARK COMPANY, or NEEigAH, WISCONSIN, A oonroaa'rron or WISCONSIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

CATHODE FORELEG'I'ROLYTIC CELLS.

Patented Sept. 7, 19115.

Application filed January 25, 1915. Serial No. 4,316.

,ToaZZ 1071 am. 2 257221%] concern =tf,,Be it known that I, FRANK G. lVHnnLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at in other advantages are secured, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, showing certain preferred embodiments thereof, it being understood-however that the invention is not restricted tothe particular structural examples shown as illustrating the same.

In said drawings-Figures 1, 2, 3, 4:, and 6 are fragmentarycross-sectional views of several modifications of the invention; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the cathode plate illustrated inFig. 41, viewed from the rear.

In diaphragms intended for use in contact with a foraminous cathode plate, it-has long 1. been recognized that a merely marginal sup-, port of the diaphragm is in many cases 1 nsuflicient; and it has been heretofore proposed to provide some form ofbond between the diaphragm and the cathode for the part pose of supporting the former over its entire area. For example, it has been proposed to provide the apertures of the cathode with marginal burs adapted to project into and.

support the diaphragm.

According to the present invention, the diaphragm is supported by providing the cathode plate with apertures of such area that the diaphragm may enter them to such extent as may be necessary for its support when the cathode is placed in an upright position; and at the same time the rupture of the diaphragm is avoided by providing a suitable backing therefor at the rear of the apertures. F or example, in Fig. l, I have shown a sheet-metal cathode 1, provided with relatively large apertures 52, which may be of any desired contour. The diaphragm is indicated at 3, overlying the cathode plate and entering the apertures 2. In this struc ture the rupture of the diaphragm at the apertures is prevented by a backing plate 4, also of metal, but provided with smaller perforations 5. The backing plate may be perforated over its entire area,'or only opposite the perforations 2, as may be most convenient. Electrically, the plates 1 and 4 to gctlier constitute the cathode, and this construction presents the great advantage that the conductivity of the cathode can be adjusted to suit current conditions quite independently of other considerations, as for example, by providing a thicker backing plate when higher conductivity is required. Furthermore, the structure can be formed and adjusted accurately to design, to provide uniform conditions over the entire area. The actual size of the apertures in the plate 1 will depend in a measure at least upon the thickness of the diaphragm. It is an advantage of the present structure that a wide variation in the size of the apertures is permissible.

The backing plate may consist of wire cloth or screen having apertures smaller than those of the front plate, this construction being illustrated in Fig. 2, in which 4 repre-' sents the wire cloth backing, the other nu- Fig. 1. Or if desired both the front and backing plates may consist of Wire fabric, either in separate sheets or interwoven, the rear sheet having the finer mesh. Such construction is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which 1 represents the coarser mesh fabric to which the diaphragm is applied, and 4 the finer mesh backing. For clearness of illustration the diaphragm is omitted.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a modified construction in which the front plate and the backing elements are formed from a single sheet of metal, the perforations 2 which may be of any desired shape or area, being cut around a portion only of their perimeter, as for example around three sides in the case of rectangular openings, and the attached tongues or. flaps 6 displaced rearwardly to form the backing element for the diaphragm 3. This construction requires lessmetal, is less expensive, and provides a very eflicient support and backing for the diaphragm. Moreover, the actual aperture through the plate is Y merals indicating the same elements as in partially at an angle to the current flow, and

therefore does not decrease the active cathode area to the same extent as when slmple perforations are used. However, in this con- The apertures in the front cath two plates may be used, the size-of the perforations in such case decreasing rearwardly, or in a direction away from the diaphragm.

I claim In combination, a diaphragm, a perforated cathode, the perforations-being of sufliclent area to' receive portions of the diaphragm and thereby effectively to support the latter, and electrically conductive means located in therear of said perforations for backing the diaphragm to prevent rupture.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK G. WHEELER. Witnesses: R. E. GARNoRoss,

MABEL SIBIQEY. 

